Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

At Prestolee Primary School, we believe that the health, happiness and wellbeing of each individual is paramount to their personal development, academic progress and next steps in life. Our PSHE curriculum reflects this vision and aims to ensure that children are exposed to positive and supportive health and wellbeing approach with constant support. Our aim is to continue to educate our children to ensure resilience, self-worth, confidence and determination. We have our children’s mental health and wellbeing at the heart of all that we do and use our curriculum to address the social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of all learners. 

The information and resources in this section of our school website are intended to provide, support, guidance, offer ideas and share activities that can address difficulties that parents and carers may experience with their child or they can be used to simply help to maintain a healthy wellbeing. There is also information about other agencies and support organisations that you may find useful.

5 Ways to Wellbeing

We all have mental health and we do not need to wait until there is a problem before we look after our wellbeing. Following the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ can help children and adults to achieve a more positive wellbeing.

This framework is designed to help us all to include wellbeing activities into our daily lives, a sort of 5-a-day for mental wellbeing.

To find out more go to NHS - 5 steps to mental wellbeing.

To look after our mental wellbeing we need to try to do five different things every day. These will help you to stay happy and healthy.

The five ways to wellbeing are:

• Be Active
• Get Creative
• Mindful Moments
• Connect with Others
• Give to Others

Connect: Keep in touch with family/friends, play games together, listen to music that reminds you of special times, share old photos/memories.

Be Active: Walk, dance, jog, create football challenges, play hide and seek, complete jobs around the house, circuit training.

Take Notice: Spend time outside every day, observe nature, try yoga, be creative, look up at the night sky.

Keep Learning: Watch a new film, read a book, learn a new fact, cook or bake, share a skill, try something different.

Give: Time to relax, help someone with a job, call someone to check they are doing ok, give someone a hug.

 If you are worried about your child, you can get excellent advice and support from YoungMinds. They have a free helpline (0808 802 5544) staffed Monday to Friday. You can also find information on their website at: www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/ 

The Anna Freud organisation have an excellent website full of really useful resources to support children’s mental health and wellbeing. They have 5 main aims:

1. To support parents and carers who are trying to navigate the mental health system on behalf of or in support of a child or young person
2. To help parents and carers to stay connected with their child to find solutions together
3. To help parents and carers communicate to schools, colleges and extended family
4. To highlight the importance of looking after yourself as a parent or carer

To signpost to trusted organisations who may help support a child or young person and their family and advocate on their behalf

You can also get lots of information about how you can help and support your child through the NSPCC website. The website contains simple advice to help adults identify, understand and support children and young people with mental health issues.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/childrens-mental-health/

Here are some recommended picture books to support your child’s mental health and wellbeing

Top tips to supporting your child’s mental health and wellbeing

Talk Openly About Feelings

One of the biggest mental health tips for Children is keeping the channels of communication open. Always reassure your child that they can come to you with their feelings no matter what is going on. If they have questions or worries, make sure they know you are listening. Recognize that their feelings have value and they will be more likely to keep coming to you to talk about how they’re feeling throughout their life.

Follow A Routine

Children thrive when they are following a routine. When things happen that upend their everyday lives, it can add to the stress and uncertainty they’re already feeling. That’s why one of our top mental health tips for children is to have them follow a daily routine.

Keep Things Simple

In times of crisis, it’s important to be open and honest with children. But you need to do it in a way that they can easily comprehend. Keep the information you share with them about current events simple. The simpler you keep your conversations about the crisis, the fewer reasons your child will have to feel worried about it.

Make Time for Play

One of the best things you can do for your child’s mental health is to make sure they get time to play. They need time to express their creativity, use their imaginations, and focus on fun things. As long as they are getting all of the necessary tasks done, let them have some free time to have a bit of fun.

Get Moving

When carving out time for play, make sure some of that time is dedicated to physical activity. Getting outside and active (in safe ways, of course) is one of the most uplifting mental health tips for children. Anything that gets them moving can help them work off anxious energy and can also boost their mood and help them sleep.

Outside Services

At Prestolee we work with lots of different services that aim to help and support children with their health and wellbeing.

Bright leaders - https://brightleaders.co.uk/

Coram Life Education (SCARF)- https://www.coramlifeeducation.org.uk/

NHS- https://www.bolton.gov.uk/attendance-behaviour/health-schools

Fort Alice- https://fortalice.org.uk/healthy-relationships/